King Day: Service to others

In honor of Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20, the city of Palmdale will kick off its “Season of Service” program on Jan. 25 with a “Desert Reveal” clean-up from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Avenue S and 70th Street East.

“Our ‘Desert Reveal’ clean-up will be the first of five activities we have planned for our ‘Season of Service,’” said Trish Jones, supervisor of Palmdale Community Programs. “The ‘Season of Service’ is designed to offer service projects for residents to join, and will include a monthly service day as well as information for community members to develop their own projects.”

Youth involvement is sought in this project, so they request that volunteers under age 16 be accompanied by an adult. Officials suggest participants wear closed-toed shoes and be prepared to sometimes walk over uneven terrain. Bring work gloves and sun protection as well. Water will be provided.

A number of other service events will take place through April 26. “We encourage residents to participate in one or all of these opportunities to help make Palmdale an even better place to call home,” Jones added. “As Dr. King once said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’ We have the opportunity to serve our neighbors and build value in our community through events such as these.” For more information, call (661) 267-5181.

The city of Lancaster will conduct on Jan. 18 beginning at 8 a.m. a day of service entitled “Everybody Can Be Great, Because Everybody Can Serve.” For two weeks surrounding the King holiday, various community groups will help clean and restore projects within the city. Volunteers are needed; for details, call (661) 267-6077.

The next day, “Justice Sunday” will begin at 4 p.m. at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd. Representatives from the offices of the Los Angeles County District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department, the NAACP, local school officials, area pastors and mayors from Antelope Valley cities will be present to honor the slain civil rights leader.

The National Alliance of Faith is sponsoring the event which is themed “To Serve This Present Age One For All,” and effectively launches a “continuum of service” which places a priority on monitoring and ongoing efforts to improve lives.

Famed gospel group “The Mighty Clouds of Joy” will perform Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Living Stone Cathedral of Worship, 37721 N. 100 Street East (at Avenue R) in Littlerock. For more details, call (661) 902-1194. “We invite all of our neighbors to participate in a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Bishop Henry Hearns.